ACC Prespring Preview, Rankings, Key Storylines

What does each ACC team have to work on this spring? What are the main storylines? How good are the teams going into the key part of the offseason? Ranking all the ACC teams based on how they look now, and what each team needs to do.

2017 ACC Prespring Rankings & 3 Key Storylines

14. Virginia Cavaliers

– The quarterback situation has to be settled early on.
– The running game has to emerge after finishing 121st in the nation.
– More big plays from the defense. Turnover margin needs a boost.
– Full Prespring Analysis

13. Duke Blue Devils

– Daniel Jones has to emerge as the star QB now that Thomas Sirk is gone.
– Get scoring again. The David Cutcliffe attack needs to be able to keep up with the rest of the ACC.
– Punting game needs improving. Duke not good enough to not own field position battle.
– Full Prespring Analysis

12. Boston College Eagles

– Can the passing game start to do more? Darius Wade has to become the star QB.
– As always with BC, start scoring more. Averaging 20 points per game in ACC won’t work.
– Can the Eagles start moving the chains? O has to work on coming up with easy third down chances.
– Full Prespring Analysis

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11. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

– Come up with new producers in the linebacking corps. More defensive playmakers have to emerge.
– The passing game has to improve. More efficiency, more downfield plays, fewer mistakes.
– Better return game. Wake Forest needs better field position after struggling on kick and punt returns.
– Full Prespring Analysis

10. Pitt Panthers

– Is Max Browne the right fit? The former USC quarterback has to keep the passing game cranking.
– Will the pass defense be any better? Pitt had the second-worst pass D – the DBs have to emerge.
– The pass rush has to crank up without Ejuan Price at one end.
– Full Prespring Analysis

9. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

– The quarterback situation – Justin Thomas was the longtime leader and star. Can the O keep rolling without him?
– The defensive tackles have to be replaced. The D line is the biggest concern early on.
– How can offense start moving the chains? Tech had the nation’s third-worst third down conversion percentage.
– Full Prespring Analysis

8. Syracuse Orange

– Will there be any defense to go along with the offense? The secondary needs attention.
– Rushing attack has to step up to balance out the attack.
– Red zone efficiency – the high-powered O has to convert every opportunity.
– Full Prespring Analysis

7. North Carolina Tar Heels

– Life after Mitch Trubisky – who’s the next star UNC QB up?
– The run defense has to get stronger. Defensive front has to improve.
– More receiver playmakers. Ryan Switzer was a sparkplug – four of top five receivers gone.
– Full Prespring Analysis

6. Virginia Tech Hokies

– Moving on without Jerod Evans. The QB derby is one of the ACC’s most important.
– Where are the receivers? The Hokies have to find new big play targets.
– The defensive line needs an overhaul. The young linemen have to emerge.
– Full Prespring Analysis

5. NC State Wolfpack

– A top running back has to replace Matthew Dayes. The rotation has to find a No. 1 guy.
– Punting game has to improve. Pack only averaged 35 yards per kick.
– More scoring in the red zone. Too many wasted chances, too many drives bogged down.
– Full Prespring Analysis

4. Louisville Cardinals

– Can the Cardinal offensive line be more consistent? Meltdowns late in the season proved costly.
– Lamar Jackson needs new weapons. The receiving corps has to find new targets.
– Cut down on the penalties. Team needs to be sharper overall after getting flagged almost eight times a game.
– Full Prespring Analysis

3. Miami Hurricanes

– Replacing Brad Kaaya. Is Malik Rosier ready to be the star QB?
– The penalties have to slow down – Canes got hit for over seven flags a game.
– Can the young defensive stars take a big step forward? Very good last year, the front seven now has high expectations.
– Full Prespring Analysis

2. Clemson Tigers

– Replacing Deshaun Watson – good luck with that. The QB derby is wide open.
– Replacing the other offensive stars. Who’ll emerge to take over for Mike Williams, Artavis Scott, Jordan Leggett and Wayne Gallman?
– National championship attitude. How will the team/coaching staff/program act now that Clemson’s at the top of the mountain?
– Full Prespring Analysis

1. Florida State Seminoles

– Are the injured stars in the secondary ready to go? How will Derwin James and Nate Andrews look and how hard will they go?
– Replacing Dalvin Cook. FSU is a running back factory, but Cook was truly special. Who’s the main man now?
– Can the Noles slow down the penalties? They were hit with the fifth-most penalty yards per game after being tight the previous few years.
– Full Prespring Analysis